White House urge lawmakers to pass rail safety legislation

​The ​White House ‌on Thursday urged ​lawmakers to pass long-stalled ‌rail safety legislation after the 2023 derailment of a Norfolk Southern-operated ‌train in East Palestine, Ohio, catching ‌fire and releasing over a million gallons of hazardous materials ⁠and ​pollutants.

The ⁠U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure ⁠Committee is debating a five-year $580 ​billion highway bill Thursday. It is ⁠expected to consider adding a ⁠rail ​safety bill that would boost safety procedures ⁠for trains carrying hazardous materials and ⁠toughen ⁠rules on wheel bearing failures.